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callistag1's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism and Child death
Moderate: Sexism, Murder, Vomit, War, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Grief, and Death
Minor: Death of parent, Body shaming, Rape, Sexual harassment, and Sexual assault
jaqylantern's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book had so much potential. To be honest, I think this is more an editor/publisher issue than the author cause the next two books are both longer.
I feel like this came out in the time publishing wanted YA books to be barely more than 300 pages. It also feels this was "let's see how the first book does and go from there" because this feels like it could be a standalone OR you could continue the trilogy.
My biggest issue is really the pacing. This book could have been great with 20-50 more pages. Really let emotions sit and be a big thing- several times Sage got super angry for valid reasons but it passed by the next page. The misunderstanding could have built a bit more and become really tense.
This really could have been great, but I will be donating this.
I feel like this came out in the time publishing wanted YA books to be barely more than 300 pages. It also feels this was "let's see how the first book does and go from there" because this feels like it could be a standalone OR you could continue the trilogy.
My biggest issue is really the pacing. This book could have been great with 20-50 more pages. Really let emotions sit and be a big thing- several times Sage got super angry for valid reasons but it passed by the next page. The misunderstanding could have built a bit more and become really tense.
This really could have been great, but I will be donating this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Violence
silver_valkyrie_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Parts of this book were a lot of fun, and parts of it were very irritating. For the first half or two thirds I was all prepared to describe this book as "a generic fantasy in the best way--four solid stars". Now I'm like, I dunno, I guess it's almost four stars...
I don't have any particular plans to pick up the rest of the series, but I could see the whim striking sometime.
I don't have any particular plans to pick up the rest of the series, but I could see the whim striking sometime.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism, Child death, Grief, Sexual assault, and Violence
Minor: Sexual content and Death of parent
saoreads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
It's the kind of read that's good enough as a standalone; I wonder why it had other parts unless it consisted of different main characters this time. I do love the short chapters, just like Chef Kisses, but at the same time it was really fast-paced and left no room for the world-building to be easily digested. It was hard reading through the various povs with no clarity as to whose voice was at the moment; it would have been better if from a third standpoint. I'm not a big fan of the characters, as it might be rooted in a less emotional build-up for reader attachment, but overall, it's easy to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Murder
bookish_bookerz's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The enjoyment I had reading this book was great. I liked every second of it including the settings, characters, and plot. I was looking for a nice read that was not heavy but had something that still interest me and this was the book for me. While reading it, I enjoyed getting to know the characters without being bored of overly detailed descriptions. I think the author did a nice job spreading that information out and learning it when other characters learned it as well. In addition, I enjoyed the romance in this book. It was not a main factor for as much as the premise it was sitting on but I did end up gushing over their romantic development. I felt it was not rushed and enjoyed how the main couple was able to get to know each other (despite circumstances around it). Within this, I think it allowed the main couple to know more about each other but themselves as well while allowing room for more growth to come it the second book. In all of the enjoyment I had, I have no negative things to say about this book, except that it is not the best book I read. However, as stated previously I did enjoy this book and will be continuing it into the second book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child death, and Violence
Moderate: Death and Sexism
Minor: Sexual assault and Torture
kart_mac's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Vomit
Moderate: Child death
nirelocin's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death and Violence
glauxgirl's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I had to write a review just to articulate my jumbled feelings! With so many locations, ruling families, and shifting alliances, I felt lost and almost DNF, but pushed through and was mostly glad I stuck with it. My strategy was to basically ignore mentions of any place/player that wasn't a Good Guy, the Traitor, or the People Helping the Traitor be Traitorous.
Speaking of that plot hack, I had a difficult time visualizing anyone aside from Sage. As other reviewers have pointed out, characters are problematically described as shades of "dark," which (racist stereotyping notwithstanding) doesn't tell me much. Who is white and who is POC? I even went to the author's website in hopes of finding some character sketches or creator-approved renderings, but no luck. On the other hand, passages about far less interesting topics, like the cistern, were written in such detail, yet I still couldn't picture them clearly. So I'd press on and hope for more action and dialogue in the next chapter.
I did not see the twist coming; in fact, I had to go back and reread the reveal several times to make sure I was understanding the implications of it, and honestly I'm still not sure I have a handle on it. Granted, I was reading this late into the night, which is a point in the book's favor—I had to know what happened next.
While Sage is a poster child for the "Not Like Other Girls" trope, the rest of the characters kept me invested in the outcome, particularly Casseck, Charlie, and Lady Clare. The encounters between Sage and Ash are some of my favorite moments—sweet and tantalizing (I like the long game in romance).
The final showdown didn't have the payoff I expected after such a long lead-up, andI CANNOT BELIEVE THE AUTHOR DID CHARLIE LIKE THAT , so the ending was frustrating even without an obvious cliffhanger.
I'm going to take a break and read something contemporary before deciding if I'll carry on with the series. As of now, I could go either way.
Speaking of that plot hack, I had a difficult time visualizing anyone aside from Sage. As other reviewers have pointed out, characters are problematically described as shades of "dark," which (racist stereotyping notwithstanding) doesn't tell me much. Who is white and who is POC? I even went to the author's website in hopes of finding some character sketches or creator-approved renderings, but no luck. On the other hand, passages about far less interesting topics, like the cistern, were written in such detail, yet I still couldn't picture them clearly. So I'd press on and hope for more action and dialogue in the next chapter.
I did not see the twist coming; in fact, I had to go back and reread the reveal several times to make sure I was understanding the implications of it, and honestly I'm still not sure I have a handle on it. Granted, I was reading this late into the night, which is a point in the book's favor—I had to know what happened next.
While Sage is a poster child for the "Not Like Other Girls" trope, the rest of the characters kept me invested in the outcome, particularly Casseck, Charlie, and Lady Clare. The encounters between Sage and Ash are some of my favorite moments—sweet and tantalizing (I like the long game in romance).
The final showdown didn't have the payoff I expected after such a long lead-up, and
I'm going to take a break and read something contemporary before deciding if I'll carry on with the series. As of now, I could go either way.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Violence
Minor: Sexual assault
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